Anyone ever run into this problem mailing an LBE?

[MeanLaureen]

Matthew just called.. he went to the Post Office to mail out a LBE for a trade that we have. The person at the counter told him he could not insure the LBE, that they were not doing that anymore. They said it was "too fragile". They told him that for it to be insured he would have to put it in one of their white envelopes or a box. The envelopes we use are the standard bubble envelopes you buy at Staples, Office Max or one of those places.

Needless to say he left the post office without mailing it. Since Matthew travels all over VA for work he just went to another post office, which mailed it and insured it without a problem.

Anyone else run into this supposed "new policy"??

 

[Luv2Roam]

No, and I just mailed an insured LBE last night.
They never ask me what's in the LBE's.

 

[NHMickey]

Never had that happen. I just sent out a few insured ones as well.

 

[suzanneb]

Hey Lauri- I just got back from the PO...shipped several INSURED LBE's...wrote fragile on them also...I told agent at PO that they were lapel pins...no problem...hope this continues!

 

[MickeysMom]

I've actually had a similar problem ever since I have been trading pins, but with one certain person that works the window at my PO. She refuses to let me insure LBE's saying that they cannot insure it because it does not have enough padding , but all the other people let me insure them.

 

[Dar20]

I sometimes have trouble with one employee at the Tampa Main PO (near the airport). If I mail an LBE, he tells me that it feels like something could "poke through". Give me a break! Of course, if I use the USPS envelope, I have no problem! So, if I'm mailing an LBE, I use the little podunk post office where they all know me.

Dar

 

[Mainepinpal]

I think Dar hit on a key idea here. Mail packages where you are known.
How would you like to be a postal employee these days? No knowing if you are going to handle mail that has anthrax or been in contact with one that did? The postal employees are understandably stressed out and extra cautious right now. Go where people know you for postal services.
We need to cut each other a little slack in these stressful times. Try to look at things from another's point of view, and treat others how we would like to be treated. We don't need to take our frustrations out on each other. That's what the terrorists want - to tear us apart from within. We can't let that happen.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Penny

 

[GotAnyPins]

I mailed out several yesterday, and today, w/ insurance, No Problem..didn't even ask what
was in the envelope.

Donna

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Earlier this week I decided I will only mail LBEs from the PO nearest my home and nearest my office. I'm known in both. At the one near my house, they even know that the bubble envelopes contain pins. If it means one less stressed postal worker, it's worth my time.

I'm worried just because of how often I visit post offices. I can't imagine what it must be like to work there right now.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

What really got to me was the lady was saying that something -- like an ink pin -- can poke through the LBE, but the plain white paper envelope that she pointed to (didn't say it had to be one of the USPS envelopes, just one like it) was better. When I told her that the LBE was better protection than the plain white envelope she said "no it isn't."

 

[YodasMom]

I have had that problem with one postal clerk, too. She told me she was not supposed to accept anything that could be damaged or that was not packaged well. She only mentioned this when I requested insurance. I told her that I package everything I mail very well. The main reason I insure packages or LBE's is to ensure that they will be delivered, especially now days. The post office has probably had a lot of claims and some clerks will take this warning more seriously.

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

I have only had a problem once, and it was with a temp clerk. I now only mail in my home PO when the regular clerk is there.

 

[KAP]

I had the problem once too. It was pre-9/11.

 

[pintrader]

I not only take 15-20 of the little green insurance receipts to show I am ALWAYS allowed to mail a "pin" in an LBE, but I do one other thing as well. I go in with my stapler and roll of tape. I show them what is inside before I seal it. Interestingly enough they always say they don't want to see what is inside, but going in that way seems more hassle-free, somehow. It takes them almost 60 seconds to punch everything into their little computer and it only takes me about 20 to staple and tape it in front of them. So we are both busy and I don;t feel as if I am waiting as long for them to do what they need to do.

Our Post Office is a "training" Post Office. We never have the same people for more than 3-4 months.

Lauri, the one thing I did pick up on in your post was that THEIR LWE was somehow superior to your LBE. Things that make ya go "hm-m-m-m--m

 

[shirley 38]

Hi Lauri no problems in Pa.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

We never have problems. Of course, the PO we use is a Sectional Center (100 hours per week of window service) and we have a box there. Most of the staff know us, so if there is any problem we just immediately ask them to contact a supervisor.

If you are using a small PO just be sure to ask the person their name AND the name of their supervisor and ask (politely) how to contact the supervisor. Suggest they if they have any problem they call someone immediately. Tell them if they don't do what is correct, they will then be contacted by their supervisor and told what is correct. It will not make friends, but with someone like that who needs it.